My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was

cake is

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

sing the ‘Happy

must close her eyes

must blow out

indicate to Julian that there was no need

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped

a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

finally smiled for the first time

to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

turned and

inside her apartment and

propped open

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

on business? she

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

you’ve been getting along fine without

she took two steps

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

he approached her, forcing her back inch

idea

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all